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Can you teach someone to be classy and sophisticated, or is it something that you’re born with?  The producers of American Princess seem to think that given the right instructors and time someone can be trained to become royalty.  I have my doubts.

Twelve women from all over the United States met at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City to begin the competition to become an American Princess.  The winner of the competition will be given a real British title – Lady of the Manor of something or other; $50,000 cash; some expensive necklace and the opportunity to wear an expensive diamond and platinum tiara at a swanky ball.  I’m not sure that is enough incentive for me to enter this competition, but obviously it was enough for these twelve women who began the process:

Crystal
Clarissa
Kirsten
Danielle
Felicia
Jasmine
Liz
Letoshua
Cassia
Nakia
Tara
Yvonka
Nine women will be brought to England to continue the competition, with three eliminated while in New York.

And just who are these instructors?  How about Paul Burrell, a “royalty expert” and former Butler for Princess Diana.  We also have Jean Broke-Smith as the etiquette coach.  The host of this atrocity – Catherine Oxenberg, royalty herself.  I also think she starred in her own reality tv show and wasn’t she on one of the old 1980’s nighttime soaps like Dallas or Falcon Crest?

We’re subjected to some behind the scenes application videos for these young women.  Let’s just say that a lot of work will need to be done to bring them up to what most people think of when you say Princess.  They’re real and genuine women for the most part, brought up without exposure to high society or strict etiquette rules.  I guess it wouldn’t be fun to watch the transformation of someone who already had class, grace and elegance. 

The first elimination came after a teamwork challenge – rowing.  The girls were put into three groups of four and asked to race each other.  None of the girls had experience in rowing, but one of the teams (blue) worked together and won.  Two of the team members – Yvonka and Crystal – were cited for their leadership and given a reward of a sunset cruise around Manhattan.  The rest of the girls were subjected to cleaning the dock and the boats.  We do have a guest judge for this part of the competition – Sarah Ivens, Editor and Chief of OK Magazine.

After this challenge the first elimination takes place – Felicia is eliminated because she didn’t lead by example and gave up.  She was a physically fit and strong person and in the eyes of the judges should have excelled at the challenge. 

The next day the girls are given instruction in respecting other cultures.  They are given information about French, British and Japanese culture to digest and then put to the challenge in a receiving line and dinner challenge.  The girls had to conduct themselves properly during the receiving line and dinner, respecting the culture of the people in the line or the host at their dinner table. 

After this challenge, two more women are eliminated – Liz and Danielle.  The judges have harsh criticism for all the other girls and state that a lot of work still needs to be done in order to transform one of these women into a princess.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 8:42 pm and is filed under American Princess.